A few more days passed by; I met up with Michael a lot, but he didn’t seem himself although I just couldn’t quite put my finger on what was wrong. I met up with Ash and the guys a few times too, and on Thursday we were out for a meal but there was what seemed like an awkward or forced tension between everyone and I didn’t know why.
“So the food is nice,” Luke said, trying to start conversation as we all sat there in silence.
“Yeah,” I said, “what is everyone doing over the weekend?”
“I’m going to see my family on Saturday,” Ash said and Michael’s body tensed up so I leaned my shoulder closer to his to try and subtly calm him down.
“Michael, what’s wrong?” I said under my breath, ignoring Ashton’s point. Michael shook his head, “do you want to go outside?” he nodded so I got up and reached for Michael’s hand, pulling him to his feet.
We walked out of the restaurant and sat down on a bench outside.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“It’s okay,” I said, confused, “what’s wrong Mikey?”
“Nothing,” he said, not looking up at me. I stayed quiet, “it’s nothing, jeez.”
“O-okay,” I said warily.
He pulled me into a hug so my head was resting on his chest, then we just sat there for a long time as his right hand played with my hair and I almost fell asleep, my hand resting on his thigh and his left hand gently gripping my arm, pulling me close to him.
“What the-” Ashton’s voice said from behind us. I was brought back to earth as Michael jumped away from me and moved me off of him so he was sat upright next to me, “what’s going on? I come out to see how you are feeling and you’re cuddling with my girlfriend?” he said to Michael.
“Ash, he was really upset,” I cut in with a hushed tone as Ashton came over to us.
“So? You seemed very close to him,” Ashton said through gritted teeth.
“Ashton-” I started but he’d already started yelling at me again.
“This isn’t the first time,” he shouted, his hands pushing me into the wall, forcing me against it so much it reduced me to screaming at him.
“Ashton stop! Ashton you’re hurting me,” I screamed.
“Ashton, get the fuck away from her now,” Michael shouted, grabbing Ashton’s wrists and freeing me from his grasp, letting me fall to the floor, sobbing.
“Oh my god what have I done?” Ashton gasped, looking down at me and then also dropping to the floor so he was at the same level as me, “Hanna I’m so sorry.”
